Ryan Kerrigan had the first one for Washington on Sunday. Kerrigan sacked Sam Bradford and forced a fumble that was recovered by Barry Cofield. Brian Orakpo and Stephen Bowen shared the next one -- one of those meet-you-at-the-quarterback tackles on another disappointing losing afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome just two days ago.

So far this season Bradford has been beaten and battered and sacked 18 times. Not only is he the most sacked quarterback this year, but he has been taken down with the highest frequency (once every 8.3 attempts).

Yet, when Bradford calls his first snap count in two weeks against the Packers, it will mark his 21st consecutive start. He may be the NFL's easiest target right now, but he's also one of the toughest. There is no doubting his competitive spirit.

All of the hits delivered on an artificial surface in the dome have got to be hurting him. He's played through hurt, no question, and he seems to have a high tolerance for pain. Most of the great ones do. Giving in to the pain is not an option. But let's face it. One hit and he could be out. A lot of his being able to keep playing is a matter of pride in my opinion.

For nearly two years, while trying to mentally adjust to a new offensive coordinator, Bradford has been blasted and pounded by defensive linemen and blitzers that appear to have a super-highway without a toll booth into the Rams' backfield. Sometimes a conventional four-man rush collapses the pocket so fast it looks like a called blitz. Sadistic defensive coordinators have made it their mission to keep the heat on Bradford, calling a high number of blitzes and dogs designed to get maximum pressure on the quarterback immediately.

His latest new coach is Josh McDaniels, the man who tutored Tom Brady for years and who most recently took Kyle Orton to a higher level.

Not only did the Rams bring in McDaniels, but they've signed quality right guard Harvey Dahl away from Atlanta in free agency and drafted left tackle Roger Saffold with the first pick in the second round in 2010..
Those changes haven't contributed as much as we expected so far. Bradford's NFC-worst passer rating of 70.8 and 49.7 completion percentage with just three touchdowns and one interception has been a big reason why the Rams sit winless after four games. Losing can become a habit. The Rams are 0-4 and 1-7 in their past eight games.

There has been some progress but it has been very incremental. After the promise that a seven-win season created, St. Louis fans want something more and were expecting a lot more.

No one, I believe, should be placing total blame at Bradford's feet. He's demonstrated toughness on the field, and he refuses to throw his offensive line under the bus. For the most part he has displayed poise under a heavy rush. I still believe that if the Rams can somehow manage to keep the grass stains off Bradford's uniform, he is potentially an elite quarterback in this league. And so far this year, even after 18 more sacks, he sounds like he thinks things can and will get better.

But to be honest, the clock in his head is starting to go off rather quickly. Toward the end of the Redskins game he was releasing the football to protect himself. Bradford did some very good things in Sunday's loss to the Redskins, but he still had a couple plays in the game that there's really no excuse for. If he can find a way to understand that, while standing in the blast furnace of an all-out blitz, then he'll have the chance to become a complete player and reach his potential.

Hey, Troy Aikman took a beating early. We just have to hope that Bradford can hang in there long enough until the Rams fix the problems in protection. His demeanor so far has been unflappable. He gets up and keeps going although it's starting to take longer and longer to peel himself off the turf.

He has been hanging in there now through 52 sacks in 20 games, and it's only natural to wonder how much longer he can hold up. There is a target on his back now.

-10-05-2011

ZiaRam

Re: Sam Bradford's Taking a Beating Back There

I wondering the same thing to... How long before something happens badly to Sam because our O-line simply cannot protect him. I'm still split on if it's the play calling and McDaniels expecting some of these guys to block schemes they simply can't or aren't experienced in or if the players just are that bad...

-10-05-2011

Rambos

Re: Sam Bradford's Taking a Beating Back There

Quote:

Hey, Troy Aikman took a beating early. We just have to hope that Bradford can hang in there long enough until the Rams fix the problems in protection. His demeanor so far has been unflappable. He gets up and keeps going although it's starting to take longer and longer to peel himself off the turf.

Yeah Sam liked to watch Troy Aikman now he gets to re-live what Troy went through in his early days.

Stay strong Sam!

-10-05-2011

BOLORAM

Re: Sam Bradford's Taking a Beating Back There

Noline = no win.

-10-05-2011

ZiaRam

Re: Sam Bradford's Taking a Beating Back There

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rambos

Yeah Sam liked to watch Troy Aikman now he gets to re-live what Troy went through in his early days.

Stay strong Sam!

I'm hoping after this bye week we can shore up that crap we call the O-Line!! If this continues with everyone dropping balls and no one blocking I can see Sam being pretty darn frustrated and blowing his top on somebody...